Angie's LIST Guide to
Pediatric sports medicine

If your child does not see a sports medicine specialist routinely, you can schedule an appointment through a referral with your family doctor or pediatrician. This type of specialist can evaluate some common injuries such as heat stroke, stress fractures, sprains, strains, ligament injuries, dislocated joints, nerve damage and minor fractures.

Breathing issues can be treated at the scene, such as asthma induced by exercise or sports. In some cases, the athlete may have asthma, but a breathing issue also could be an acute or isolated event. The specialist will evaluate if the condition is an emergency, or if it can be treated with medication, such as a breathing treatment or bronchodilator.

In case of a sudden injury, a trained specialist can evaluate athletes immediately for concussions and other serious head injuries. Most specialists are first responders who can help to treat the athlete until emergency medical help arrives and she can be transported to a hospital or clinic.

Specialists treat emergency injuries and acute conditions, as well as underlying medical conditions. This type of specialist will consider an athlete's underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, gastrointestinal problems and congenital defects. Accommodations may be worked into the athlete's practice and game play regimen so that there is no added strain or inconvenience to jeopardize health or well-being.